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An American boy based in Indonesia has been selected to play the role of Barack Obama in the upcoming movie about the US president’s childhood in Jakarta.

“Obama Anak Menteng” (“Obama The Menteng Kid”) is expected to begin filming this week and rushed into Indonesian cinemas by June 17.

The film is based on the novel of the same name, which author Damien Dematra claims to be a true account of “Barry’s” childhood in the Jakarta suburb. He reportedly wrote the novel in just five days after five days of research.

Hasan Faruq Ali, selected for the role, told a news conference on Tuesday that he idolized Obama and was “a fan.”

Born in Questa, New Mexico, Hasan is the son of musicians Shakur Ali and Naseem Nahid. His parents are members of an American band of Sufi Muslims, Debu, that plays religious songs.

Debu is currently based in Indonesia.

A European actor, Clara Lachelle, has filled the role of Obama’s late mother, Ann Dunham, while Obama’s late stepfather, Lolo Soetoro, will be played by an Indonesian actor who lives in Belgium.

Most of the filming is expected to be conducted in Cimahi, West Java, because of its similarities to Menteng, the Central Jakarta suburb where "Little Barry" spent three years in the late 1960s and early 1970s.